Cantor Jacqueline Menaker’s journey to becoming a rabbi
April 30, 2025
By JORDAN POSNER
Voice at the Shore
JACQUELINE “JACKI” MENAKER
In May 2020, Cantor Jacqueline “Jacki” Menaker joined Shirat Hayam Synagogue as its newest spiritual leader. Stepping into this role at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic came with unique challenges. With in-person gatherings halted, Cantor Menaker led services virtually, met congregants through screens, and found creative ways to foster connection while socially distanced. Despite the obstacles, she laid the foundation for deep, meaningful relationships that would shape the next five years of her service. Throughout her time at Shirat Hayam, Cantor Menaker has dedicated herself to teaching, leading programs, and nurturing her community in countless ways. But alongside her public leadership, she was also on a deeply personal journey, one that would lead to her rabbinic ordination.
Cantor Menaker’s path toward the rabbinate was not one she initially expected. In 2016, she served a Reform congregation in Orlando, Florida of 650 families and laid the foundation to be part of the rabbinate. While always feeling like she had a cantorial calling, a desire for something more was swirling in her mind. The opportunity to take on greater leadership came when the synagogue’s rabbi went on sabbatical.
As she delved deeper into Jewish texts and spiritual exploration, questions arose. Her connection to the text was compelling, drawing her into a space of inquiry and transformation. “By 2017-2018 I began to feel the call,” she explained. In 2019, she began her studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR), a pluralistic, non-denominational seminary known for embracing diverse Jewish identities. AJR offered a unique program tailored to ordained and invested cantors seeking to expand their knowledge and serve as rabbis. For Cantor Menaker, whose personal philosophy honors the unique traditions of each Jewish movement, the inclusive approach of AJR was a perfect fit.
Her studies were not without hardship. “During this time, I experienced the profound loss of my father, which led me to temporarily step away from the program. Yet the unwavering encouragement from the community and my loved ones helped me persevere,” she added. Even simply asking, “Hey, how is it going?” was enough encouragement for Cantor Menaker during those challenging times.
President of the Board of Trustees at Shirat Hayam Joe Handler shared, “As a president representing Shirat Hayam, I am proud that she has pursued the position and has worked hard to achieve this smicha (becoming a rabbi). It is not something you can do overnight, and she put in a lot of work to achieve this goal.”
Throughout her journey, Cantor Menaker balanced rigorous academics with her full-time role as Reform spiritual leader at Shirat Hayam and her responsibilities to her family. More than once, she told her loved ones, “Bear with me; you’ll see soon after I’m done with class.” That balance would not have been possible without the unshakeable support of her husband, family, synagogue leadership, and congregants. “It takes a village,” she said, “and I am so grateful for mine.”
During her years at Shirat Hayam, the rabbinic role began to emerge more fully, especially as Rabbi Gordon Geller (z”l) stepped away from the full-time pulpit. Her studies enriched her spiritual leadership, deepened her connection to the community, and helped her grow in ways that many have noticed. “The learning was more than academic,” she reflected. “It went to the heart of life itself, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. I’ve learned not to be afraid and to just go for it.”
On April 28, 2025, Jacki Menaker was officially ordained as a rabbi. For her, the milestone is not just a personal achievement, but a collective celebration. Many members of the Shirat Hayam community attended her ordination ceremony in North Jersey, a gesture that has left her feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. “The love and care I’ve felt from this community is more than I could have hoped for,” she said. “I just hope that in some way, the learning I’ve done has enriched their lives, too.”
Rabbi/Cantor Menaker’s journey has been one of resilience, growth, and faith. Her story is a testament to the power of community, the importance of lifelong learning, and the beauty of answering a call even when you least expect it.